BMC destroys 200kg unsafe food items, fines 13 establishments ahead of Diwali

Bhubaneswar: Intensifying its crackdown on unsafe food items, especially sweets, ahead of Diwali, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) food safety wing on Friday seized and destroyed 200kg of substandard food items, including 160kg of sweets, at various hotels, restaurants and stalls across the city.A total fine of Rs 26,500 was imposed on 13 establishments for various violations.Six food safety teams have been carrying out surprise inspections over the last two days to check the quality and hygiene standards of sweets and other food items, which see high demand during the festive season.Officials inspected 27 establishments, including e-commerce-linked food businesses, at key commercial areas like Fire Station Square, Baramunda, Dumduma, Patia and KIIT Square. During the raids, 24 food samples were collected and sent for laboratory testing.Designated food safety officer Satyajit Patel said the teams detected multiple violations, including improper storage, sale of stale food, use of artificial colours and sweeteners and unauthorised food additives.“Sweet shops and food establishments that are preparing products in unhygienic conditions with poor packaging and storage practices are under the scanner. During inspections, several shops were found keeping sweets uncovered in trays on the ground. In some places, staff were packing food without wearing gloves and working in unhygienic surroundings,” Patel said.Patel said strict action would follow against offenders once the test reports are received. Despite repeated awareness campaigns, some businesses continue to sell stale sweets and use unauthorised ingredients.The enforcement teams also focused on identifying the use of chemical-based artificial colours used to enhance the appearance of sweets. Officials said laboratory reports of the 24 collected samples would reveal whether artificial colours or other adulterants were present.Last year, authorities had destroyed nearly 100kg of colour-contaminated sweets during similar festive inspections.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bhubaneswar | Silver Rate in Bhubaneswar | Bank Holidays in Bhubaneswar | Public Holidays in Bhubaneswar | Petrol Price in Bhubaneswar | Diesel Price in Bhubaneswar | CNG Price in Bhubaneswar | LPG Price in BhubaneswarStay updated with the latest Bhubaneswar news. Download the TOI App.